The drive here was easy, straight highways through orange groves. A welcome forest of green, sprinkled with orange orbs amongst the straw covered mountains. Red, pink, and white rose bushes broke up the sand and dusty brown as well. As I grew closer to Sequoia National Park, the road became narrow and winding through the village of a Three Rivers. Lots of people were out and about, enjoying a gorgeous Sunday. Shortly the road entered the park and glorious mountains rose up before me. I felt like I was home on the native land of the Western Mono.
After a slow morning of grocery shopping, gas tank filling, and ice cream, a quiet night at Potwisha Campground sounded lovely. I pulled into my site, wiggled the van back and forth for a while until I was somewhat level, and relaxed. Almost immediately I noticed the area was crawling with ground squirrels and marmots. They lurked about under the trees, ducking into their tunnels when I came close. They rustled through the tall grasses, scrounging for an evening snack. Sometimes they even climbed the trees and rustled about in the branches overhead. They seemed harmless enough, so I paid them little attention.
After nearly three weeks of desert, tall trees, sharp mountains, and roaring rivers were a welcome sight. The journey has been wonderful so far, and I’ve learned to embrace the desert, but this is where I feel happiest, in the mountains. Their beauty and grandeur is what captures my heart and steals my breath. I’m joyful here.
Well, gosh, was I wrong! I left my side door open, with the screen panel down and zipped like I typically do when camping, and walked away to find better cell service. When I came back ten minutes later and distractedly stepped inside, I was abruptly called to attention by skittering and scratching in the cab! A marmot, inside! In the driver’s seat, staring at me! I shrieked and quickly jumped out and pulled open the side door. The marmot hopped down and slide out, under the screen panel! It pushed it up and jumped out. The little devil! And not only that, it had left three lovey little droppings for me to clean up. That door will not stay open again until I leave Sequoia. A very unwelcome, uninvited guest!
With that that excitement behind me, I did finally get to relaxing. Dinner, hike planning, and blogging. If this is how Sequoia is beginning, I think we are in for a wild (and wonderful) ride.
Before bed, more excitement happened. Sitting in my camping chair, journaling and minding my own business, I noticed a few deer emerge from the forest and nibble on the grasses and shrubs around. They seemed at ease, happily munching away. Then one adult doe started moving toward my campsite and casually kept coming, right to the fire pit merely a few feet away. She sniffed around, grazed on some plants, then moved to the grasses nearby, lingering and watching me but seemingly unafraid. It was neat to be so close, sitting quietly in my chair, and at the same time I felt conflicted, concerned as to why they were so comfortable coming so close. When the wild isn’t wild, it usually signals a problem. When the second, younger doe stumbled even closer, I waved at it and said shoo, scaring it away a bit. A healthy fear of humans is good for the creatures, it’ll keep them safe. Then I went to bed!
Tonelli's Travels 